Ever since I began my academic journey, college has always been the end goal. It was the light at the end of the tunnel. I spent my years in high school trying to receive as much information about college as I could. I reached out to friends and family who had gone through the college process before and learned several key pieces of information that have supported me in my college experience so far. Here’s what I have learned:
Firstly, I realized that I wanted to get through college without piling up student loan debt. The idea of putting myself into debt to gain an education has always been distasteful to me. I made an informed decision to put myself on a path where debt would be minimized. That is why I began my higher education journey at Pasadena City College, where I do not have to pay anything for tuition as it is already waived through the PCC Promise Grant. My hope is to transfer within two or three years to a four-year university where I will work to earn my degree in Civil Engineering. The community college path will help minimize the total cost of my college tuition, while still letting me receive a quality education.
Secondly, I surrounded myself with as many free resources as I could. Scholarships are always nice, and I have learned that the programs offered at my college are just as precious of a resource. There are a multitude of free programs whose sole purpose is to help students succeed. I am currently a part of the Ascend, Pathways, and PCF Scholars Program, all of which have assisted me throughout my college journey. Not only do they provide a community for new students, but they also provide counseling and financial aid opportunities. I can also receive priority registration to enroll for courses that will help me transfer in time.
Lastly, I realized that I wasn’t alone on this journey, and that community is the key to success. There’s always someone out there to help if you are willing to ask. Asking isn’t always easy, and that is why it’s important to create a good support system for yourself. Personally, I try to create a group of people for each class to do classwork and homework together. I know I can rely on this group if I ever feel that I am struggling in class. If this doesn’t work, I also visit the instructor’s office hours and the various success centers on campus. As a last line of support, I can always reach out to my family and friends if I am ever feeling overwhelmed.
College shouldn’t be a place where students struggle needlessly and alone for the sake of their future. Instead, it should be a place of opportunity and compassion where the community comes together to help the students succeed, not only in school, but also in the life ahead of them. It’s important to realize that you as a student deserve the best from the school you are attending. Don’t let them sell you short!
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Omja is a graduate of CIS Academy. After graduating in 2021, Omja continues to pursue his education at Pasadena City College (PCC) where he is studying STEM. He is still deciding if he should concentrate his degree in architecture or engineering. Omja participates in numerous programs at PCC, such as the ASCEND Promise Scholars and Pathways program. Getting involved in these programs has allowed him to grow as a person and feel more connected to his community. This is especially important due to COVID-19 and having to take classes online. After receiving an amazing amount of support from his mentors in high school, he feels that it is his turn to give back to the community. He hopes to work alongside CAP and encourage students entering college to achieve their goals and to help them start their journey into college on the right foot.